Blood lactate, heart rate, and energy expenditure responses to 500 punches and 500 kicks in advanced and beginner Taekwondo training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of heart rate, blood lactate, and energy expenditure in beginning and advanced Taekwondo participants. Sixteen males, 8 beginners and 8 advanced, between the ages of 18 and 40 years who studied Taekwondo were included in the study. There were no significant differences at baseline between the two groups with the exception of percent fat, with the beginners having a significantly higher percent fat than the advanced. No statistical group differences were observed after the 500 punches and 500 kicks for all parameters. There were however, significant trial effects for heart rate responses and lactate responses due to testing protocol. There was also no group by trial interaction for heart rate responses and lactate responses. The strongest correlation in the advanced group was between percent change kicking caloric expenditure [PCKKCAL] (r =.98) and percent change punching caloric expenditure [PCPKCAL]. The strongest relationship for beginners was established between percent change punching caloric expenditure [PCPKCAL] (r =.98) and percent change kicking caloric expenditure [PCKKCAL]. Resting values were significantly lower than punching and kicking values for heart rate and lactate responses, but there was no difference between punching and kicking values. There was no difference between the two groups for total caloric expenditure [TOTKCAL] expended following the punching or kicking. In conclusion HR, LA, and TOTKCAL increased similarly for both advanced and beginner taekwondo participants and both punching and kicking resulted in similar responses following completion of each task.